how we saved the world •a zodiac story•

mess

Author's Note
Hey friends! Fun author's note because I love communicating with my readers (typically more than anyone else.) I'm a simp for feedback and comments. Also, feel free to let me know if a certain sign isn't being mentioned enough- it makes my job wayyy easier. Anyway, without further ado, Chapter two!!! (Hey that rhymed haha)

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Pisces felt a bit ill. This couldn't be a good idea. Vega smiled as he presented them with their mode of transportation. A rusty, formerly red, beat-up pickup truck with less than reliable tires was being swooned over by the celestial spirit. What made Pisces the most uneasy was that the vehicle was not intended to carry the twelve people that they were looking for.

She struggled to get the words from her throat, but eventually, she stopped Vega to ask how on earth he planned on fitting twelve people in a rusty, two-seated pickup?

Vega's smile faltered and shot an irritated glare, "C'mon kid, gimme a break. I'm just happy I gotta ride because, apparently, you needa license to get your hands on one 'o these." he shrugged nonchalantly.

Pisces laughed, this couldn't be real. He was a divine force of nature, the spirit of the North-fucking-star. How could he be this insufferable? Truly, to an extent, she thought it was amusing. Overall, how could she not be a nervous wreck?

Libra put a reassuring hand on her shoulder and gave her a warm smile, "Yeah, Pisces! Just have a little faith."

She looked around, "F- fine... but I'm driving," she insisted, "at least I have a license." she rolled her eyes.

The trio embarked on the unsafe quest to seek out the other ten of the Zodiacs. Pisces remembered hearing that Aries, Gemini, Leo, and Capricorn were living in Portland, just two hours ahead.

"Our next stop is Portland. I, uh, guess, Leo and Gemini ain't in Portland like I previously thought..." He took a second look at his notes. "It's actually where Sagittarius and Aries live," Vega said as he examined the list further. Perhaps this list wasnt exactly reliable.

"That's odd," Pisces noted, "Where are Leo and Gem?"

Vega's eyes widened, "Uh- it looks like Leo's livin' in Los Angeles with Taurus. Erm- up in Bel Air." He cleared his throat, "Gemini's down in Miami."

Pisces shook her head, "Hell no, we can do this without him."

"No, we can't and we ain't."

Pisces knew one way or the other, they were not driving through the Great Plains, the Deep South, and through Florida to get one measly boy. She scoffed, disbelieving Vega and the situation was even real.

"You're a good swimmer, right?" Vega inquired, "Why don'tcha swim to Florida."

Pisces smiled warmly and recited what he said sarcastically, "Have you been to Florida? Not only would I probably get shot- everything in Florida, from the sewers to the oceans is infested with alligators."

Vega rolled his eyes and mumbled, "That's ain't even the worst threats you'll face to find the Heart."

Pisces nearly stopped the car, "That was a joke, right?"

Vega was silent, "Yeah," he lied.

Changing the subject, Libra revealed her suggestion. She broached that she could call Gemini. In which Pisces replied, "Why do you have his number?"

Unable to answer, she evaded and simply said it was because he was a fellow air spirit, "If we can get hold of Gem, I'm sure he has contact with Aquarius. She is the last Air spirit."

"I highly doubt we could ever find her if we wanted," Pisces scoffed. Aquarius was an elusive spirit even when the goddess had them rounded up.

"But," Libra pointed, "remember that he has your book of contacts, meaning if we call him, we can essentially find everyone."

Pisces nodded, "There's no harm in trying, I suppose..."

Libra's heart fluttered. "Full speed ahead, Vega!"

∆

Aries guided the flames of his bonfire towards the sky. Sagittarius clapped as the flames licked the shimmering evening sky. With his nimble hands, he caused the fire to dance and then collected it into an orb of intense plasma.

"Aries that's beautiful!" Sagittarius squealed.

Aries laughed as he twirled his ball of flames in his hands, both of which were completely unscorched, "Oh babe, you haven't seen beautiful."

His normally brown eyes began to shift into a bright glowing amber. The fire compressed under the pressure of his hands. He built up searing potential energy, preparing to let go.

Once he did, Aries directed the flames into ethereal, sleek spirals that painted the night sky with gold. He etched patterns and connected constellations, even his own.

Sagittarius gasped in wonder at the fiery veins that stroked the sky. Her face felt hot as she was reminded of why she stuck around.

Aries kept things interesting. Not that the others hadn't caught her interest but Aries was different. Sagittarius began pondering on how her old friends were doing. She and Aries were oblivious to the imminent arrival of their friends who lived a hop, skip, and a jump all the way in Seattle.

Aries glanced at his girlfriend's distant eyes. He couldn't help but wonder what was floating in her mind. Normally, Sagittarius wasn't this quiet. He asked, "You okay?"

Her lips bent upwards, softly and she hummed, "Yeah... yeah I just can't stop thinking about the others."

"It's been nearly seven decades since I saw Leo," Aries reminisced fondly, "He's the last of the fire spirits."

She chuckled, "Yeah, I suppose he is."

Her eyebrows furrowed, it's almost been one-hundred years since she had seen any of her friends. In the eyes of an average person, it's longer than their entire life but the celestial life was different than that.

When celestial bodies have spirits, it can take billions of years to die. Consider yourself immortal. It's true, stars die every day but constellations- galaxies and superclusters do not. Stars like Alpha Centauri and Vega are destined to become Supernovas when they die and their spirits evolve with them. They're still them, but with different names and different powers.

It was miraculous, Aries thought, that out of the long life they would endure, it seemed that as long as he had Sagittarius with him, he could live until time stopped and he would still be content. Everything was okay if he had her.

Aries scooped Sagittarius up, bridal style, and leaned his face in close. She laughed and sarcastically glared at the ram, she placed her palm on his head. His eyes swam in hers. He was curious and he whispered, "Tell me what you're thinking."

That night, like many before that one, he heard nothing more worthwhile.

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to be continued